PMI: Recovery of UK services sector regaining momentum February 3, 2022 The recovery of the UK services sector regained momentum last month, according to new figures. The closely watched IHS Markit/CIPS UK Services PMI survey scored 54.1 in January, bouncing back from a 10-month low of 53.6 in December. Any score above 50 shows growth in the sector. The latest data showed that activity in the [...]
Cranswick enjoys in-home dining boost but battles with pork backlog February 3, 2022 Food producer Cranswick has reaped the rewards of more in-home dining amid the pandemic – a trend which has remained strong over the past three months. While trading over the festive period was “comfortably ahead” of the same period in 2020, the food producer was hit by widespread labour and supply chain challenges. The [...]
Virgin Wines lowers guidance following Omicron and supply chain issues February 3, 2022 Online wine retailer Virgin Wines was forced today to lower its profit and revenue for the year ending June 2022 following disruption caused by Omicron and supply chain issues. “Like many businesses, we experienced several operational challenges in the Period due to well-publicised, external, macroeconomic factors including labour market shortages caused by the emergence of [...]
Green shoots of recovery for UK high streets after Omicron measures ease February 3, 2022 The lifting of plan B restrictions spurred the UK back to shopping destinations but January footfall dropped on December levels. According to the latest footfall insight data from Springboard, footfall worsened slightly in January over the month as a whole, to 20.8 per cent below pre-pandemic levels. This was compared to footfall that was down [...]
Pret coffee subscription service to increase £5 amid rising costs February 2, 2022 Sandwich chain Pret A Manger is hiking the price of its coffee subscription service 25 per cent amid soaring ingredient and labour costs. Pret said the monthly cost – which covers five barista-made drinks a day – would increase from £20 to £25 from tomorrow. This will apply to new subscribers straight away while those [...]
Owner of Christian Dior perfume to move from Oxford St to Kensington February 2, 2022 The perfume giant behind brands including Christian Dior and Givenchy is to shut shop at its flagship Oxford St and head to a new site in Kensington. The Lancer Square development in W8 is set to welcome LVMH Perfumes & Cosmetics, which produces Dior, Givenchy and Guerlain fragrances. The perfume retailer is under offer on [...]
London plumber crushes Pimlico Plumbers in Supreme Court and wins landmark case over holiday pay February 2, 2022 A London plumber has won a key lawsuit in the Supreme Court over his workers’ rights as appeal judges ruled late yesterday afternoon he is entitled to back-dated holiday pay. Gary Smith, who had worked for Pimlico Plumbers between 2005 and 2011, went to court after a long-running dispute with the company over holiday pay. [...]
Activewear brand TALA raises £4.2m as it woos shoppers fed up with fast fashion February 2, 2022 Gen Z-orientated sustainable activewear brand TALA has raised £4.2m in funding with Active Partners and Venrex. Founded by social media influencer Grave Beverley, TALA aims to offer consciousness gym goers an affordable alternative to fast fashion rivals. Participants in the oversubscribed round included venture capital trust Pembroke VCT, as well as angel investors including Deciem [...]
Shop price inflation highest in a decade as Brits feel cost of living squeeze February 2, 2022 Retail inflation has soared in the past month, with Brits eyeing discount retailers for cheaper prices as the country faces a cost of living squeeze. Shop price annual inflation surged to 1.5 per cent in January, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Nielsen IQ shop price index. This was up from 0.8 per [...]
Westminster Council: West End to receive millions in recovery support fund February 1, 2022 Westminster Council is to inject millions of pounds into reviving the borough’s hospitality industry. Within a £190m investment to support the area, the council has announced a dedicated £1m to recruit waiters, baristas and bar staff, it said yesterday. Some £150m is to be used to redesign the Oxford Street district and make Strand Aldwych [...]
